DISPUTE OVER Y2K LIABILITY IS RESOLVED OUT OF COURT

CANTON, Mass. -- A closely watched year-2000 dispute between J. Baker here and Andersen Consulting was settled out of court following mediation that resulted in both parties agreeing to withdraw their claims.At issue was the apparel retailer's demand that Andersen Consulting, Chicago, provide reimbursement to cover costs to bring its merchandising system into compliance with year-2000 computing requirements.

CANTON, Mass. -- A closely watched year-2000 dispute between J. Baker here and Andersen Consulting was settled out of court following mediation that resulted in both parties agreeing to withdraw their claims.

At issue was the apparel retailer's demand that Andersen Consulting, Chicago, provide reimbursement to cover costs to bring its merchandising system into compliance with year-2000 computing requirements. Andersen installed the system at J. Baker in 1991.